SNACK Testimonials

Here’s what SNACK families have to say!

“I just want to share a few words with you about SNACK, and what it means to our family and the other SNACK families. I have four children, ages 8, 6, 4 and 4 months. My husband is babysitting all of them right now, so please take a moment to pray for him (just kidding, he’s a great dad). Having a child with autism is terribly challenging, as our kids need one-to-one supervision by a trained caregiver to be appropriately engaged in an activity, to NOT engage in repetitive, self-stimulatory behavior. If a parent has to work or has other children it is not possible to do this. Before Jackie Ceonzo created SNACK, there was NOTHING for Manhattan families, no after-school recreational programs at all. In the afternoon, if I wanted to take my other children to an activity, Isaac would spend the afternoon stimming away at home in the care of a well meaning but untrained respite worker. We recently joined the SNACK community and let me just tell you: Isaac loves it. All the kids do. The SNACK staff are well-trained, lovely people. The kids do yoga, arts and crafts, they sing, they play. I am a big worrier but I do not worry one bit while my son is at SNACK. None of the parents do. Our kids are learning and having fun. And it is wonderful being in a community of special needs families who are all so dedicated to their children. Jackie Ceonzo should be nominated for sainthood for creating SNACK. I want to thank her, the SNACK staff and all of you who have supported her efforts to open the program to families of all income levels.”

- Isaac’s Mom
“Many people don’t realize that we have a brother with autism. The cutie with a contagious smile is Pierre. He’s now 13 and he’s come a long way. The smile he wears today is the result of years of hard work and struggle. When he was little, Pierre was isolated from the world, unable to recognize people’s faces or to adapt to any foreign environment. Five years ago, in the effort to allow Pierre to be a regular kid, our mother dragged him to SNACK (Special Needs Activity Center for Kids) kicking and screaming. It was the only program that would “deal” with him. Today, Pierre can’t wait to go to SNACK to have fun and see his friends. The skills Pierre acquired at SNACK, such as swimming, teamwork and following group directions during SNACKtivities, are taken for granted by regular families. However, without SNACK, Pierre would still be struggling with these basic, yet crucial skills. Now, our brother always looks forward to SNACK, where he can be himself, have fun, and improve despite himself. He will carry what he’s learned at SNACK into his adulthood. Now he is able to participate in programs that would have rejected him before. SNACK has truly been a turning point in Pierre’s life. All three of us were able to volunteer at SNACK over the past few years and witnessed first hand how much this program means to these kids and their families. It’s really refreshing to find yourself in an environment where there is no judgment and so much love.”

- Pierre’s Sisters
“When your special needs child presents problem behaviors, it can be very difficult to find programs and settings that can manage those behaviors without resorting to sending a child home from time to time. I want my boys to have group experiences, and be safe, but I also know what it feels like when my kid was the one being disruptive. SNACK staff now how to keep everybody safe, including the child who is having a tantrum. This is a remarkably affirming experience for a parents who manage day to day behaviors in the community that are safety hazardous or socially stigmatizing. Being accepted and nurtured is the ultimate in support for both child and family. My boys are strongly inclined to do their own thing, and spend much of their school days in individual instruction. Their peer skills and play skills are weak, weak, weak. In the time they have been attending SNACK programs they have actually learned to enjoy certain activities because they are done with a group of friends.”

- Justin & Evan’s Mom
“My husband and I bought a home in Manhattan and were looking for weekend programs for our 8.5 year-old autistic son. I was introduced to SNACK through the YAI network as an excellent organization for recreational after school programs. I reached out to them and received the warmest response ever. There are no organizations like SNACK in and around NJ which provide such high-quality programs to parents whose lives are devastated by autism. We’ve signed up for the swim and the social skills SNACKtivities program and are so thankful we found SNACK – The staff are wonderful and so warm! It’s like finding an extended family!”

- Rohan’s Mom

“My son, Sam, has been taking swim lessons with SNACK for the past year and has made amazing progress. When he first started, he would mostly just stay in one place, bobbing in the water and engaging in self-stimulatory hand flapping and splashing. As of last week’s lesson, he was able to swim laps across the width of the pool for 35 minutes straight! I am so proud of him and appreciative of the hard work and patience exhibited by SNACK staff at each and every session.”

- Sam’s Mom
“My son is on the autism spectrum and used to love to swim. In the past, being in the pool always had a positive effect on him so my husband and I were devastated when he went through a period where he refused to go in the pool. Luckily, we heard about SNACK’s swim program and signed him up. We are thrilled to report that our son is back in the pool and progressing far beyond where he was, in a very short time. All of the instructors are patient, kind, and treat my son like any other child trying to learn a new skill. My son is having fun and we are enjoying watching him; it is one of the best days of the week for us! The positive feedback he is getting from the staff and from us is giving him a much needed confidence boost. We are so thankful to the staff at SNACK!!!”
- Alex B.’s Mom
“SNACK has been a godsend for us. They provide a safe, fun, activity filled day for children with autism. This is the best program I ever spent money on.”- Jimmy L.’s Dad
My son has been swimming with SNACK for seven years. Since children with Autism are attracted to water I considered swimming nothing more than a vital life skill. Surprisingly it turned out to be so much more! Not only does he love it, but he now competes as part of a team, doing something he’s good at out in the community. This is way beyond what I had anticipated. Thank you SNACK!- Pierre’s Mom
“I am a parent of a 15 year-old boy, George, who has severe autism. We moved to New York from Europe 7 years ago and were fortunate to meet Jackie Ceonzo shortly after we arrived and soon after she had set up SNACK. George has been an avid attendee of the SNACK program ever since and it has been a life-changer for him. In my opinion, SNACK is the finest after-school recreation center of its kind in New York, filling a void in George’s life, and that of many other children afflicted by autism and other disorders, by providing much-needed programs to address this community’s needs. Art, music, sports, yoga, swimming, and just plain old hanging out with his buddies are among the many activities, which George has learned to love.  George’s verbal skills are continuing to improve, in no small part to the onsite speech therapy services offered to him during the SNACK activity sessions. George obsesses about his weekly schedule and recites it multiple times a day to anyone who will listen. SNACK gets a big shout out and George also makes sure that the bus driver is 100% aware that George has to be dropped off at SNACK on Thursdays and Fridays!”- George’s Dad

“My five-year-old son with c.p. has been swimming with SNACK for two years. He loves it, and it’s very therapeutic for his muscles. SNACK personnel have gone above and beyond to make our weekly session beneficial and enjoyable. Now my son’s typically developing twin sister joins in the swimming session, which is darling for us as they get to enjoy an activity together.  I’ve personally experienced the results SNACK in the benefit of my family. I am watching my son grow and his relationship with his twin sister. Not only is it a wonderful weekend activity, there are many, many benefits. We enjoy and benefit from the community at SNACK, meeting other parents in our special situation, my son’s muscle + core strength has improved tremendously and it’s a family outing we all enjoy.”

- Max’s Mom
“Our son Grant is now 11 and has been going to Snack for over five years. I think he participates in everything – SNACKtivities, soccer, swimming, he’s been to their camps during school breaks, etc. SNACK is, quite simply, an amazing place for children with autism and for the parents of children with autism. It is so difficult fining playgroups and places where your child can interact with others, develop social skills, learn sports and just be a kid. At SNACK, no child is ever turned away – no matter what their challenges are – and everyone is made to feel welcome. The staff is not only high skilled, but friendly and loving towards these kids. The smiles you see on the kids faces when they are there is just priceless. I would highly recommend SNACK to any family with a child with special needs – you won’t be disappointed.” - Grant’s Dad
“A year ago, my son’s ABA therapist recommended SNACK for its structured activities, nurturing environment, and high ratio of skilled adult support. I took her advice and sent William to the SNACKtivities holiday program during school break. His self-esteem soared, his behavior improved, and he was so successful that I have continued to send him to the after-school program at SNACK as well as full-day programs during school breaks. William has thrived from the positive reinforcement and the multitude of opportunities to be successful: in art, music, sports, and games. He has many opportunities to develop and practice social skills. I am so thankful for SNACK – without it, William would be home stimming and tantrumming.” - William’s Mom

“All we can say is thank goodness for an organization like SNACK. Our son Michael is enrolled in SNACK’s 1:1 swimming classes with skilled instructors and such quality programs are not easy to find. His swimming not only helps with fitness, but builds his self-esteem by encouraging him to take risks, and to set and achieve goals.”

- Michael C.’s Mom
“This is Ruby’s third year at SNACK, and guess what?  She learned to swim through their exceptional program, WOW!  Ruby’s swim lesson on Sundays is hands down the happiest half hour of her week and once again we are grateful to the incredible staff at SNACK for enriching Ruby’s life.” - Ruby’s Mom
“At SNACK no one ever has to feel that pain of rejection. Jackie Ceonzo and her staff have created an environment of inclusion and embracement, acceptance and love. And while SNACK started as an after school program, it has expanded to include weekend activities like swimming, movies, sports outings, and even camping. The weekend my son Dusty and I spent with SNACK families and staff up at Camp Ramapo was so special. There was no concern about what our kids were doing…or weren’t doing. No explanation necessary. Everybody understood. For one weekend, everything was okay. Rejection wasn’t on the agenda. With SNACK, we really believe that so much that wasn’t possible before is now.” - Dusty’s Mom
“Dylan has been going to SNACK for the past 5 years. He goes every Sunday and his face lights up when he walks in the door. He plays soccer for 45 minutes with very patient coaches and then does “SNACKtivities” for 2 hours, which is a combination of music, games, yoga, art, movement, drama and more fun. The only movies Dylan has ever been able to go to have been through SNACK. The theater is closed to the public and they keep the lights on so the kids don’t get scared and no one complains if the kids stand up or scream out. Everyone is welcome and Dylan has been able to see 3 movies. Throughout the fall and winter I have volunteered at SNACK on Fridays and Sundays to work with Dylan, his friends and the other great children there. It is really an amazing place and both the kids and the staff are very special people. It has been so rewarding for me to volunteer there this year.” - Dylan’s Brother
“SNACK is such a beautiful place.  Before we discovered SNACK, Zac and I tried so many different kids’ classes–but again and again we felt judged, excluded and frustrated.  The things that Zac needed most–interaction with peers and socialization–were impossible to find in any group setting, due to a general lack of empathy and an inability to include someone who was different. Well, that someone was my little boy. Then we discovered SNACK!  Not only do they offer a wide variety of classes for Zac, but his sister can join in the fun, too.  Together, they tumble, play soccer, swim, have music classes… all the while interacting with other children.  This is really the heart of the program, as kids on the spectrum spend so much 1-on-1 time with therapists. The staff is descended from heaven, dedicating their lives to these kids and supporting their relationships.  The founder, Jackie, is a shining star in the autism community and is cherished by so many families! Every family with a child on the autism spectrum dreams of such a welcoming, warm, inclusive, non-judgmental place for their child to play, learn and grow.” - Zac F.’s Mom
“SNACK has been a terrific resource for our family. Our 2 year-old daughter attends a play session on Sundays and she loves it. The staff are wonderfully attentive and I feel very comforted when she is in their care. SNACK has also provided us with sample classes in soccer and swimming. We fully intend to continue our relationship and highly recommend them.”- Ava’s Dad
“My son and I love going to SNACK.  It’s like coming home.  It’s a place where everybody knows your name, you can talk about issues with educated people or you can just be yourself and feel safe.  We need more places like SNACK for our kids.”- Jacob’s Mom
“My special needs son, had swim lessons, at various institutions, and with various instructors, but could not get over, his fear of the pool and getting his face wet in the water. Then we tried, SNACK, for swimming instruction, and now he floats across the pool, and looks forward to his weekly lessons. We have since, signed up for soccer, went to movies, and participated in charity events, and have been overwhelmed with their care and enthusiasm, at making every event, super special for the children there! We went to a showing of UP, where we were encouraged to have fun, and be ourselves, and not worry, about the usual dark, quiet movies that we are usually forced to attend. Thanks to you Jackie, and your awesome staff!”

- Aaron’s Dad

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